HR0939 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0939 LRB101 23136 LAW 74270 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Billie McCoy-Thomas; and

WHEREAS, Billie McCoy-Thomas was born on October 9, 1971; and

WHEREAS, Billie McCoy-Thomas had her first meaningful job as a case manager for the Brothers Keeper Community Resource Center, where she worked under her father, Chief Apostle McCoy; while there, she learned to have compassion and empathy for the community and how to fight the disparity within the community; she served as a social worker for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services; she worked for the non-profit Aunt Martha's; she served as a qualified mental health professional for the Community Counseling Center of Chicago; she was the creative director of Real McCoy Creations; she also worked as a substitute teacher, an entrepreneur, and a cheer and life coach; and

WHEREAS, Billie McCoy-Thomas was deeply committed to her faith; she was known for her grace, her quiet confidence, her strength, her sense of humor, her fairness, her principles, her integrity, and her dignity; she was a lifelong advocate in her community was extremely dedicated to the youth in underserved areas; she was affectionately known as "Billie Joe" and more recently known as "BJ"; she will be remembered for being a mother, a daughter, an aunt, a friend, and a confidant to many; and

WHEREAS, Billie McCoy-Thomas was a loving and nurturing mother to her two daughters and was equally affectionate to their father, Steve Thomas; and

WHEREAS, Billie McCoy-Thomas is survived by her parents, Chief Apostle Dr. William and Pastor Emeritus Rose McCoy; her children, DaMoyne McCoy and Niomi Thomas; her siblings, William Lorenzo McCoy, William Lester McCoy (Heather), Victoria McCoy, Vanessa McCoy-Pulphus (Toriano), Major Lee McCoy (Jackie), Debracia McCoy-Jones (Otis), and Otis McCoy; many nieces and nephews; her cousins; her godchildren; the Black Diamonds; and her friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Billie McCoy-Thomas and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Billie McCoy-Thomas as an expression of our deepest sympathy.